St. Catherine University
Course Syllabus
Financial Management ACCT3210
Spring 2013
Instructor:
E-Mail:
Office Hours:
Class Time:
Nancy Johnson, MBA & Masters of Accountancy
nljohnson@stkate.edu
prior to class, 5:00 – 6:00pm in the class room, or by appointment
Wednesday 6:00pm – 9:30pm,
Text Book: ESSENTIALS OF CORPORATE FINANCE, 7th edition, Ross, Westerfield, Jordan
ISBN: 9780077474638
Video Link: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073382469/student_view0/video_clips.html
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with financial decisions that corporate management must make to maximize
stockholder wealth. Key topics you will study include capital budgeting, valuation of financial
assets, determination of a firm's cost of capital, interpretation and analysis of financial
information, working capital management and impact of financial decisions on a firm's expected
return and risk.
Prerequisites: ACCT 2130.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Understand the purpose of financial statements and financial ratios.
Analyze financial information and financial ratios.
Use present value and future value techniques to make financial decision.
Understand the relationship between risk and expected return.
Use capital budgeting techniques to analyze long-term projects.
Analyze different corporate financing options.
Calculate and understand the importance of the cost of capital.
Use techniques to manage short-term assets
COURSE STRUCTURE:
This course includes TWO unique classroom experiences:
1) On campus, face to face weekly meetings. These sessions will include activities and
experiences to solidify your understanding of the knowledge obtained through readings,
practice homework problems, etc. Please be sure to plan accordingly to attend all class
sessions.
2) Online classroom: D2L (link found in the upper right corner in Kateway) is the course
management system which will be used to further explore and clarify topics, ask
question and solve problems, find course documents, submit homework, quizzes, and
participate in discussing/ sharing. Please be sure to mark all deadlines on your calendar
for assignment submission requirements.
DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS, & GRADING POLICY:
Students will be graded on: short online quizzes, topics from the classroom, homework
assignments, and discussion boards per the schedule below.
Your final grade for the course will be based on total points.
(93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-,
67-69 D+, 63-66 D, 60-62 D-, under 60 a F)
Approx. Points
Chapter Quizzes (6)
Homework Assignment (3)
 Homework Notebook Completion
 Chapter 12, #25
 Chapter 16 Chapter Case
In Class Participation (Cases & Problems)
Discussion Board Participation
Class Project
Total Points
75
50
25
25
100
100
100
475
**** Grading and all assignment feedback will be provided via the D2L Gradebook.
COLLEGE and INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
Disability Statement:
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact the Office of Resources for Disabilities 651-690-6563 as soon as
possible. If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, please provide the
instructor with the accommodation plan at the first class session.
Incompletes:
A grade of Incomplete is given only in cases of dire emergency. See Le Guide or the on-line
Incomplete Form for information about under what circumstances an incomplete grade can be
given. Published deadlines must be adhered to when filing for an Incomplete and when
completing the required work.
.
Academic Integrity:
Students will be expected to comply with University policies and procedures regarding academic
integrity as spelled out in Le Guide. Independent work is required on all class work, exams and
projects without express instructions from the instructor regarding assignments involving
collaboration and teamwork. All written work is to be the student’s original work with correct
APA citations for all outside sources from which ideas, language or quotations are derived.
INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
Instructor Expectations:
Your success in this course will be greatly improved by:
1. Attending class (both face to face and D2L portions) regularly and actively participate in
the class and in the online discussions.
2. Coming to class prepared (do the practice problems and read assigned chapters prior to
covering in class) and with all assignments completed with questions on any course
material you do not understand.
3. Taking quizzes on the dates listed and turning in assignments when due to support you
in staying current late work will not be considered for credit without instructor
approval. Missing a drop box deadline related to technology issues is not
considered a valid reason for requesting a late submission.
Absences:
It is expected that all students will attend all classes, yet it may sometimes be necessary to miss
a class due to illness, work matter, or family issue, etc. If you will need to miss a class, you are
required to email and see the instructor to discuss the situation obtain updates, etc. Missing
the first class session results in an automatic drop from the class. Missing more than one class
results in failure of the course.
Technology & Communication:
 D2L course management system will be leveraged throughout this class to 1) INFORM
students of any updates, changes and reminders for requirements; 2) DELIVER shared files
and important course documents; 3) ENGAGE in participation of lively discussion, obtain
feedback and grade information. The D2L link is found on the top right corner of your
Kateway home page. In D2L click on the course link, and review the Home Page News
Announcements for how to get started and where to access necessary files. D2L help is
available the college help desk.
 Assignment Submission: Assignments submitted via D2L must include the assignment
name student name in the file name (Example: Chp 3 Case_NJohnson). MAC users will
need to convert files to a word or excel format for PC. If your assignment submission
file is not able to be opened you will receive an email with a deadline for resubmission for
full credit.
 Email: Your SCU email account will be the primary account for communication in this
course. Please check it each day for course updates and important communication.
Homework:
Three types of Homework will be prepared in this course as follows:



Practice Homework: (NOT FOR CREDIT) Accounting is learned by doing, therefore
daily homework is an integral part of understanding the material covered in this course.
It is expected that all chapter homework practice problems assigned will be completed
before the day covered in class. These problems will increase your overall
understanding of the material covered. They will also help to serve as a study took for
quizzes and other assignments. Students will be asked to share their solutions in class.
See Content, Module 1, Misc Course Documents for the text book CHECK
FIGURES.
In Class: Assignments: Weekly assignments labeled “In Class” are to be prepared for
discussion purposes in class per the schedule below. Points earned are part of your in
class participation scores.
Assignments: Two, 25 point for-credit homework assignments (Week 1, Chapter 3
Case, & Week 7 Chp 16 Chapter Case) will be completed during this course.
Dropboxes for each are found in Module 2, Weekly Assignments.
Class & Discussion Participation:
 In Class: Class participation is based on contributing to classroom discussion and
problems done as groups during class. You must be in class to participate. If you are
unable attend class (or the full class sessions) participation points may be missed.
 Online Discussions: Weekly online Discussions will be used to further explore topics.
Often we’ll go beyond what the text has to say and collaborate to brainstorm new
perspectives on the subject. Discussions Boards are found in D2L for weekly topic
(Module 2, link labeled discussion for each week) and for homework questions(Module
1:General Course Discussion Questions) where you can raise questions about
materials. Specific guidelines are outlined in each discussion but will always involve
problem solving, critical thinking and application of knowledge. See “Quality Posts”
below. Initial posts and reply posts are due by Saturday immediately following
class at 11:59pm. Check back frequently to ensure you answer questions raised by


your classmates/instructor for full credit. Late discussion postings are always welcome
but will not be include for credit in grading.
Quality posts:
o For each week/module that contains a Discussion forum, you will be expected
to post a thoughtful solution to the problem and a detailed and substantial
response to a classmate, (i.e., "yes," "no," "I agree," or "I disagree" answer is not
sufficient and results in unearned points). Raising a question to a classmate or
correcting their errors may result in bonus points being earned. . If your
opinion differs persuade your classmate with supported theory and examples
o Check back at a later date and review the discussion board. Be sure to answer
all questions raised to you from classmates or the instructor.
Etiquette: Remember to exercise courtesy and proper etiquette when responding to
others' posts along with complete sentences and use spell check. (I.e. no texting syntax
allows). Supporting your views by including links to articles, videos or attach files is a
great way to earn maximum points.
Exams & Quizzes:
THERE WILL BE NO EXAM MAKEUPS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.
 Quizzes: Six, 10-15 point quizzes will be taken at the end of selected chapters/unit to
ensure students are able to accurately assess their level of understand and prepare for
the exams. Quizzes are found on D2L in the Quiz folder and also via the Content,
Module 2, Weekly Assignments folder and will be made available to students per the
schedule below. Feedback on results will be immediate. Each quiz is due to be taken
individually by Saturday at 11:59pm immediately following the class session that
week. Missed quizzes cannot be made up for credit.
COURSE OUTLINE – ACCT3210
Spring 2013 Course
Date of
Class
Week 0
1/30 – 2/6
Chapter and Topic
Welcome and introduction to the
course
Ch. 1 Overview of Financial
Management
Assignments and Due Dates
Because of the nature of the course, all readings and
problems should be prepared prior to the class
session when schedule for review and clarification in
class. (i.e. bring completed practice work to class)
D2L: From Kateway, click on the D2L link (upper
right corner), click Discussion, select the
Welcome & Introduction discussion thread and
follow the instructions for creating your self
introduction. Return prior to the start of class
and reply post to at least 2 classmates.
In Class: (prepare and bring to class on 2/6/13)
 What’s On The Web? 1.1, 1.2 p20
 Chapter Case: The McGee Cake Company,
p 21
Weeks 1
2/6
Week 2
2/13
Week 3
2/20
Financial Statements & Cash Flows
Ch. 2, Ch. 3
Valuation of Future Cash Flows:
 Time Value of Money &
Discounted Cash Flow
Ch. 4 & 5
Stock and Bond Valuations
Ch 6 & 7
D2L
 Discussion: Critical Thinking 1.5, 1.7, 1.10
(p 19)
 Quiz Chp 1 (Take by 2/6/12 @ 6pm)
Practice Homework: Q&P (p45) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
D2L:
 D2L Discussion : Week 1, Cash Flow &
Financial Statement Questions
 Chapter 3 Case, pg 93.. Submit via D2L
DropBox (by 2/9/12 @ 11:59pm) Use excel
and include all formulas.
Practice Homework:
Q&P Chp 4, # 9,10,11,12,14; chp 5, # 32, 36, 41,
D2L
 Discussion: Video: Lottery Example: links
for Time Value of Money part 1.
 Quiz Chp 4 & 5 (Taken by 2/16/13 @
11:59pm)
Practice homework: Q&P Chp 6, #4, 5, 6, 7, 9,
20; Chp 7 # 1, 2, 10, 12
In Class: Critcal Thinking: chp 6, #6.15, and ;
Chp 7 Chapter Case (page 229); prepare both
and bring to class to discuss.
Week 4
2/27
Capital Budgeting
Chp 8 & 9
D2L:
 Discussion Week 3, Q & Ps
 Quiz Chp 6 & 7, (Taken by 2/23/13 @
11:59pm)
Practice Homework, Q & P, Chp 8, #1, 2, 5, 6,
18; Chp 9, 1, 4, 9, 10, 18
In class; Chp 9 Case, prepare and bring to class
to discuss.
Week 5
3/6
Capital Markets History,
Risk & Return
Ch 10, 11
D2L
 Discussion Week 4: Critical Thinking
 Quiz Chp 8 & 9, (Taken by 3/2/13 @
11:59pm)
Practice Homework: Q & P,Chp 10, #13, 15, 16,
20; Chp 11, #1, 2, 5, 11, 13
In Class: Chp 11, (page 375), 11.2, 11.3
prepare and bring to class to discuss
Week 6
3/13
Long Term Financing,
Cost of Capital, Leverage & Capital
Structure, Raising Capital
Ch 12, 13, 15
D2L:
Discussion Week 5: Critical Thinking
Quiz Chp 10 & 11, (Taken by 3/9/13 @ 11:59pm)
Practice Homework: Q & P,Chp 12, #9, 14, 20
In Class: Chp 15, Critical Thinking (page 492)
15.1, 15.2, 15.8
D2L
 Chp 12, page 404, #25. Due via Dropbox by
3/16/12 @ 11:59pm)
 Discussion Week 6: Cost of Capital
Week 7
3/20
Short-Term Financial Management &
Working Capital
Ch 16 & 17
Practice Homework: Q&P, Chp 16, #1, 3, 5, 6,
Chp 17, # 7, 11, 13,
In Class: Chp 17, Critical Thinking 17.1, 17.2,
17.1, 17.12,
D2L:
 Chp 16, Chapter Case, page 528, Due via
drop box by 3/23/13 @ 11:59pm)
 Quiz Chp 16 & 17 (taken by 3/23/13 @
11:59pm)